Proverbs 1:1-19

Proverbs 1:1-19

Fear the LORD. Some redefine the fear of God as simply respecting Him. While respect is definitely constituent in the concept of fearing God, there much more contained in this concept. A Biblical fear of the LORD, for the believer, includes an understanding of how much the LORD hates sin and the wicked.

Listen to instruction. The son in vs. 8-9 is commanded to listen to the instruction of his father and the teaching of his mother.  As believers, we are to listen to those whom the LORD has placed over us, and what higher authority has He placed over us than Scripture? So then, make Scripture your ultimate authority, and it will be like the wisdom of Solomon "a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." vs. 9

Don't let your judgement be swayed by sinful men. Solomon shows how going along with sinful man may seem very appealing. They promise great wealth and strong community. In the end though, they take away their own lives(vs. 18-19). Don't be like them.

Wisdom is within your reach. She calls out too you.  Don't be a fool or a mocker. What makes a fool? He hates knowledge. What makes a mocker? Someone who mocks.  Therefore, don't hate knowledge or love mockery. If you are a fool or a mocker (and we all are to some degree) Repent! The LORD see's this, and will pour His thoughts into you, and impart to you His wisdom. 

Grace

This is a study of Grace I did for a class, hence the works cited


     To attain a true understanding of God’s grace, one must examine both His Common Grace and His Saving Grace.  God’s Grace as a whole is His vehicle for showing us all the other aspects of His perfection and holiness.  God’s Common Grace is evident through His perpetual care for His creation, His guiding the actions of mankind so as to keep them from achieving a complete degree of moral depravity, and His continuing to allow man’s conscience to function.  God’s Saving Grace has two main facets, Justification and Sanctification.
     Legalism is characterized as any action or thought process that inhibits the viewing of God’s grace in correct terms.  It is usually seen in an over-emphasis of discipline and religious conduct.  Legalism also in general and usually subtly places obedience to a law or laws over faith in God as pre-emptive in the process of Justification.
     A proper view of Grace is mutually exclusive of Legalism.  Legalism in its very essence directly contradicts Grace.  The Doctrine of Grace preaches a freedom found in the love and mercy of God.  Legalism preaches submission to a law or mental thought process.  Biblical Grace is preached as free to all who accept it as a gift from God.  Legalism preaches a grace that must be earned, a grace that does not exist for “all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, ESV).  Both Grace and Legalism are often taken at extremes.
     Grace, when seen from an extreme perspective is known as Antinomianism.  Antinomianism means “against the law”.  Antinomianism is the belief that Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice accounts for all sin, so therefore we as Christians have no responsibility to follow the Law, since our sin, including willful sin is covered by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. While it is true that Christ’s death and resurrection did pay the price for all sin, this extreme of Grace eventually leads to Existentialism, the destroying of the concept of universal laws for human conduct and undermining of God’s ultimate authority. This then exterminates congruency between one day and the next, for only the pleasure of the here and now is worth pursuing.  People, even believers slip into a sinful sort of Christian Hedonism.  The hedonist lives for pleasure and happiness, making these his goals in life.  Because happiness is actually a by-product of Grace, not the substance of a purposeful life, he is never satisfied.  There is a Joy and even a Happiness found in God’s Grace, but it is the result of seeking the LORD, and not the means for a fulfilling life.  It is easy to spot how Antinomianism has infiltrated the Church.  The loss of absolute truth is a topic discussed in many a congregation.  Grace, when taken to this extreme, provides a complete cop-out from responsibility for ones actions.
     Legalism is more discreet in its invasion of the Church.  In fact, many modern Churches have been overcome by the chains of legalism that bind both the heart and actions of people. Legalism in the Church is becoming sort of a Modern Monasticism, where people believe Grace is imparted to them because of their actions and submission to the Law.  The Law may be based on God’s Word, or on a manmade standard.  The first step of Legalism begins with an incorrect view of Justification.  Legalism sees Grace as being infused into believers according to their good works.  The logical conclusion of this view assumes that to receive enough Grace for justification, we must do good works.  Paul addresses the issue of Legalism in the Church in Acts 13:39 “and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”  The work of Christ brings a freedom and a completely righteous status in God’s presence such as the Law could never afford (Guthrie, 990).  Legalism seems to slip into Churches subtly through issues such as Baptism, Worship, and Clothing.  As soon as room is given for a hint of Legalism, it begins to spread like lice.  For a time, there are no outward symptoms.  People begin by placing fences around God’s commandment.  The fences begin to grow outward more and more, until it is apparent the fences become more important that the command itself.  At this point, Legalism becomes more evident in the Church.  People begin to protest, but are then regarded as less righteous or less spiritually mature.  Those who concur with the Legalism become concerned with how righteous they can be by following the rules set in place.  After a time, people who have this mindset dominate the Church, for all others have left.  Biblical truth is discarded, and the end result is similar to that of an extreme view of Grace.  Man’s word is placed above God’s.
     What then, is a Biblical view of Grace? A Biblical view of Grace includes both Justification and Sanctification.  First, Grace is the vehicle God chooses to use to show us all of His other attributes.  Through Grace, God shows us His Mercy in sending Christ to die for us.  Through Grace, God shows us His faithfulness in providing for His children and even those who do not know Him.  Through Grace, the Holy Spirit indwells believers and gives them His power.  Through Grace, God gives the sinner the power to make the choice to follow Him.  God must give the ability to the sinner to choose him, for by nature man is fully depraved in extent, though not necessarily in degree.  Through Grace, Christ chose to become a substitutionary sacrifice in accordance with the Father’s will.  Because of this, we can draw the conclusion that Grace has a predominate role in Justification, for it is only by God’s Grace that a sacrifice for sin was made, and it is only by Grace that the sinner can choose God.  But we must not disregard the role that Grace plays in the process of Sanctification.
     A great paradox is seen in the process of Sanctification.  “Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”(Romans 7:15).  Sin nature is still alive even in the believer, yet a perfect God still chooses to abide in that person, in the form of the Holy Spirit (Keener, 427).  God dwells in the believer in order to Glorify Himself by enabling them to live a life different from that of the world.  After God as the great Judge declares the believer Justified, He walks with the believer out of the courtroom and into the world.  It is by God’s Grace that the believer is saved.  And it is by God’s Grace that the believer is given the power to live for Him.
     There is one other aspect of Grace that must be addressed for a complete understanding.  Common Grace is the Grace that God gives to all mankind alike by allowing them to exist.  Man is by nature evil and sinful, and God would be Just if He destroyed all mankind and punished them for their wickedness.  Yet He chooses to sustain the majority of them with what is necessary for survival, and even enjoyment.  One then might inquire about the millions that do not have substantial food, like many in the countries of Africa.  God is by no means bound to provide anything to anyone, for He is self-sufficient in all of His being.  The fact that He even allows people to exist shows His marvelous Grace.  Even more than allowing us to exist, He show’s His majesty to both believer and unbeliever in the beauty of His creation.  For example, an unbeliever can enjoy a sunset, and the other wonders of God’s creation.  The believer will and should have a deeper sense of awe than the unbeliever when observing God’s creation, for he knows the Creator Himself, and learns more about Him as he gazes over creation.  God also chooses to maintain the conscience of man.  Even the unsaved are able to discern to a degree what it right and wrong.  However, the conscience of the believer is sharpened by the work of the Spirit.
    A full view of Grace is then seen as the Lord’s vehicle for showing both believers and unbelievers all the aspects of His character.  Legalism is the rejection of God’s Grace through placing man’s word above God’s.
     The impact of following Legalism verses Grace has a profound negative impact on spiritual maturity.  ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”(Matthew 23:23 ESV).  Jesus points out the Legalism of the Pharisees in how they tithe.  They tithe materially, legalistically, but do not tithe things that come from the heart(Guthrie, 480).  This resulted in a spiritual stagnancy and hypocriticalness.  The results for the Church today are no different.  Following Legalism results in little, if any spiritual growth.  The hypocriticalness that results from following Legalism causes others to turn away from the Church, and hurts the Body of Christ.  The impact of following a Doctrine of Grace are abstrusely different than the impact of Legalism.
     After seeing Grace in a Biblical light, the Christian should be awed at how God provides for not only his temporary needs, but his eternal, spiritual needs as well.  The Christian finds a freedom in the Law that God has set forth.  The LORD has saved him, and he wishes to glorify the LORD in return.  He has a knowledge that he has already been saved, and has nothing to offer in the Justification of himself.  He wishes, therefore, to become Sanctified.  To become ever conformed to the image of his Savior and to be consumed by accomplishing the Fathers will for his life.  The Holy Spirit abides in him, to convict of sin and to help discern the Fathers will.  “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6.  This results in the Christian developing a dependence on God for help and guidance in nearly every aspect of his life.  He is constantly in prayer, thanking the LORD for His unending Grace, and asking for more outworking of Grace in his life.  He begins to see God’s grace in more and more places and is drawn to a deeper sense of awe and love for his Lord and King.
     In my own life, I have seen God’s Grace as so prevalent, I do not know where I would be without it.  I have seen God’s Grace immensely in my Justification, but even more so in my Sanctification.  There was a time in my life where I was running away from God.  I feel that I was of akin mind to the prodigal son, I took what my Father had given me and squandered it on useless and sinful things.  God has gifted me with a gift of speech, and of music. During the period of my life, I was using my gifts in ways that were not glorifying to the LORD and sinful.  God, however, still continued to draw me to Himself.  He was being the Great Romancer and drawing this wayward soul.  Why He would not reject me, I know Scripture says.  That knowledge still never ceases to amaze me.  God showed me His immense Grace by putting people into my life that were godly influences, even in my time of rebellion against Him.  This has filled me with a sense of awe and gratefulness towards Him.
     My desire for my own life is to love Christ more.  I have seen His Grace so evident in my life, and I desire that I will see it more.  The ways I intend to accomplish this are all by God’s help and Grace.  First, digging into Scripture.  Scripture is the perfect Word of God, and is the basis for understanding Grace, avoiding Legalism, and hearing God speak.  Second, time in prayer.  Prayer is communication with God, and God speaks to you through the Holy Spirit to convict of sin and give passion.  I pray that God will break my heart for what breaks His, and that what brings Him joy will bring me joy.  Third, finding my joy in Him.  Finding joy in the LORD is being content in His sovereignty, and plan for my life.  Fourth, mentally focusing on how God has been gracious to me, until it becomes habit.  Seeing God’s Grace results in praise for Him, and a desire to be used by Him.








Works Cited


Gaebelein, Frank E. The Expositors Bible Commentary. Vol. 8. Zondervan, 1990. Print.


Guthrie, Donald. The New Bible Commentary Revised. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1976. Print    


Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993. Print.


"Home (ESV Bible Online)." Good News / Crossway Home - Christian Books, Gospel Tracts, and the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. <http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/>.

About me

I'm a Christian, and unashamed of Christ. Being unashamed doesn't mean I wear Christian tshirts, doesn't mean I only hang out with good Church people, it Does mean that I'm a light. I shine my light into the world, which is very dark. It's not my light, but Christ's. I'm like the moon, dark on my own, but I reflect the Glory of God. The world is in desperate need of this light, but refuses to accept it. Shine.

1 Corinthians 13

So I was thinking today, "How many times will I read and try on my own to live out this passage before God gives me the proverbial slap in the face?"

1 Corinthians 13

"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

What struck me as I was thinking is the latter part, verse 13. "But the greatest of these is love." As if being truely faithful and hopeful in Christ isn't hard enough on my own, God says, "Love is the most important, make sure you have love." ARRGG. That means I can't do this on my own... Thats a problem for me, I'm independant. I'm starting to get a naggin suspision that God wants to change that. Where to start? I think I'll pray.

And then there's the other stuff that really humbles me. My rough (and ouching) paraphrase of this chapter.

"If I present the best Bible lesson to a group of unsaved kids in the ghetto of Boston, but don't have Christ's love in me, totaly pointless, means zilch. If I get up at 6 am every morning to have a Bible study, a BIBLE STUDY, and learn all the ins and outs of theology and apologetics, hermenutics and homoletics, and know all these big acadamia words, but don't have a desire to really know Christ, I wasted my life, and Gods time. If I tithe every Sunday, and even give more once in a while, but my hearts not in the offering, I would be better off keeping my money.

I never razz my little brother, even when he's a jerk, I'm kind and understanding of him. I don't overly desire things like a car, a girlfriend, a college education, I tell the truth, never making myself look better than what I really am, I don't bragg about stuff. I'm considerate and courteous, I look out for the edification of other belivers, I always keep my kool (with a k), and I don't hold grudges. I love God's Holy Word, because God speaks to me through it, that should give me motivation not to sin. I always stand up for the underdog (unless they happen to be heretical, then I rebuke them in love), I let other people have a share of the work, cuz I can't do it myself, I'm always hopeful, and I always press on.

This Hurts;

I never fail to do any of these things, if I have love. My life will end, and all my head knowlege will prove nothing on jugement day.

Right now, I don't know Christ fully. I tell others about Him, but only in part, because I only know Him in part. When He returns, I will know Him fully. 

When I was a kid, I thought and acted like a kid, but when I was a man, I thought and acted like a man. Grow up.

I see Christ like I'm looking at Christ like I'm looking at a foggy mirror, but will see Him face to face for eternity.

Christ fully knows me already, my failures, my dreams, and my praise for Him.

I can have faith and hope, yet without love, I am not serving Christ.

Think about it.